We are Appointed to Serve 1 Timothy 1:12-17
1. God appoints unlikely People to serve
A. John Newton appeared to be a life who was unlikely to be a servant of Christ In a small cemetery of a parish churchyard in Olney, England, stands a granite tombstone w/ this inscription: “John Newton, clerk [pastor], once an infidel & Libertine, a servant of slavers in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ , preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the Faith he had long labored to destroy.” You may not remember his name, but all of us know the song he wrote as a testimony of his life: “Amazing Grace.”
B. John Newton was often called “Old Converted Sea Captain”. He is quoted before he died in a message saying: “My memory is nearly gone, but I remember 2 things: That I am a great sinner & that Christ is a great Savior!”
C. The Scriptures share with us some unlikeable conversions who became followers maniac at Gadara, the despised tax collector and traitor to his people Matthew, , the adulterous Samaritan woman, Zacchaeus, Roman centurion at the crucifixion, and the Philippian jailer among others. But of all the conversions ever recorded none was more remarkable than that of Saul of Tarsus.
2. These were unlikely to have been appointed to serve.
A. Paul was an unlikely person appointed Because he was unlike to ever leave His Jewish Faith
B. Paul was unlikely to have been appointed because He was fervent in Persecution of the believers
C. Paul was an unlikely candidate because he vs 13 " I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man,"
D. Scriptures say Paul , Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3
• Acts 22:4. 4I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, 5as also the high priest and all the Council can testify. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.
• Acts 22:19 I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you. 20And when the blood of your martyrA Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.'
• Acts 26:10 and that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.
3. God opens doors for a new Life and God invites us to enter.
A. Paul begins by Thanking Jesus Christ for giving him Opportunity 12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord
B. Paul claims it is Christ who has graced him with strength
Remember if God calls God will give you the strength Jesus Christ who has given me strength
C. Paul believes God had Faith in him and believed he could do it
, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service
4. Christ offered me claims The Apostle an appointment to serve because of His Grace
A. . 13Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy
B. . 14The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly
C. , All this grace was accompanied by along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
5. God has appointed each of us to serve in some capacity
A. We are appointed to serve despite our sinful Nature
B. We are appointed to serve Not to be Judge
The girl caught in adultery Jesus did not judge
C. We are appointed to serve because we have one goal as did Christ
vs 15 Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners
D. We are called to help people connect with God
E. We are appointed to serve by helping others bears their burdens
. 2Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
F. We are appointed to serve by offering words that brings comfort
1Th 4:18; . 18Therefore encourage each other with these words.. ; 5:11, 11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. and in verse 14And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
G. WE are appointed to serve by simply doing Good.
1 Peter 3: 8Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10For,
"Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful speech.
11He must turn from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.
12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
Sermon idea from Homiletics 2013 issue .
